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NFL awards: Wide open Rookie of the Year races so far in 2019

By A.J. Fagerlin

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off the field during halftime against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off the field during halftime against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks on the field after a 26-24 lion over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks on the field after a 26-24 lion over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Gardner Minshew, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Minshew Mania is alive and well. After coming in for Nick Foles when he went down with a collarbone injury in week one, Gardner Minshew has led the Jaguars to a 2-1 record. After a blowout in Kansas City week one, Jacksonville has been in every game since. They’ve won their last two in a row after a tight 13-12 loss to the Texans.

Minshew has been incredibly impressive. In his three starts and four appearances, the rookie out of Washington State has totaled 905 passing yards, a 7 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio, a completion percentage of 69.4, and a whopping 106.9 passer rating.

Jacksonville paid Nick Foles big money this offseason to be their starting quarterback and to take them back to where they were just a few years ago, competing for a Super Bowl. Now the Jags may still be a bit far away from that, but Minshew is making it tough on the Jags coaching staff to go back to Foles even when he comes back healthy.

Back-to-back wins against divisional opponent Tennessee Titans and the struggling but competitive Denver Broncos has the Jags firmly in the mix in the AFC South, which is currently anyone’s for the taking with all four teams sitting at 2-2.

Minshew is more than just a mustache and a few crazy stories about pregame habits in the locker room. He can really sling it, and has been elevating his teammates from the moment he stepped onto the field.

As a sixth-round pick brought in at the same time as a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, there were little to no expectations for Minshew this season. He quietly went about his business, won the back-up job, and clearly prepared himself well should he ever have to step in and play.

There is no real pressure on Minshew to perform at a high level this season. If he does, outstanding. If he doesn’t, well he’s a sixth-round rookie. Minshew is playing with house money, and looks very relaxed and confident on the field. And it shows in the success that he has had.

Other players who I considered for this award were Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, and Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. But Minshew has been setting rookie records, has outplayed any and all expectations that people had of him, and has his team firmly in a playoff race.

I do believe that as time goes on Daniel Jones will emerge as the favorite for this award with his outstanding first two games (and wins). Jones should be able to invigorate and elevate the entire Giants offense, and he has not lost a game yet as a starter in the NFL. While I don’t expect the Giants to make the playoffs, if he keeps putting up impressive numbers and wins a handful of games from here on out, that would be enough to get my vote.

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